M10 reliability - opinions?

[thornado327i]

So it turnes out, that I will probably need a DD. And as such I would gladly see early 4rd E30 (bronzit - for no sensible reason my fiance loves it on early E30s) with a small engine.

These cars are dirt cheap, but usually worn. Getting it to nice condition wouldn't be that hard - part abundancy rules!

So which will be best in terms of reliability and best mpg - restoring M10B18 or swaping M40 (M42?).

Opinions welcome.

[Turf1600]

m10s will last forever and run on a shoestring.

[Motorsports]

I say go with the M42. Very reliable engine, economical, and the most power out of the three.

[nosignal]

My M10 has been super reliable and gets great mileage; a little better than my M42 car did.

[Tree18is]

I see the m42 as a hand grenade motor. but its very reliable and good on gas.

I have never had an m10, but ive seen hippe fuckheads that only add gas to the car and it still runs, must be a good motor.

[rThor432]

I see the m42 as a hand grenade motor. but its very reliable and good on gas.

Yep I feel the same. Loved mine and it never gave me any issues, but I've worked on enough of them that have blown up to know their tendencies.

M10's are bulletproof. M40's are horrid. M42's are nice, but can become a hassle when it is time to do the timing chain service ie. the service can cost as much as the potential value of the car, depending on your market.

[thornado327i]

Thanks for sharing your ideas. So M10 it will probably be.

It will take me at least a month to find a descent early E30 though... But I'd rather get the car with the least to work on, so I won't hurry.

Oh - and now she sais she likes red even better ;)

[thornado327i]

One more thing I forgot to mention - How does M10 behave in low temps?

During winter, an average temperature is app. 15,80 F and can go as low as -4 F. Hell, sometimes it even drops to -13 F.

I wouldn't want to have any issues starting and such...

[DynoTechMotorsports]

i really lik the m10 that motor can live through anything

[nosignal]

One more thing I forgot to mention - How does M10 behave in low temps?

During winter, an average temperature is app. 15,80 F and can go as low as -4 F. Hell, sometimes it even drops to -13 F.

I wouldn't want to have any issues starting and such...

I was driving mine with temps in the mid-teens Fahrenheit and it ran just like it does when it's 85 degrees. Just make sure you have a battery with decent cold cranking amps to get it going (that was my weak spot).

[eld4au6]

m10 all the way. Our 320 has 290k miles and its all original(besides maintenance items) and it runs like a champ. Not to powerful but its a little torquey.

[dashboardmonkey]

fuck that gutless piece of M10, go M42

[thornado327i]

Thanks.

M42 - thought about it, but if M10 can be a reliable engine, I wouldn't go for a swap - it's supposed to be a DD.

With 4,27 diff it should be good enough for normal driving despite low power.


And one more thing - is it possible to have power steering on an M10 car? I mean is there a way to put ps pump on it?

[SpecM]

boost the m10

/discussion